Apparatus for filling bags



Feb.'25, 1936. B. A; HANNEWALD Er AL 2,031,708

APPARATUS FOR FILLING BAGS Filed Jan. s, 195s V 3 sheets-sheet 2 FIGB.

Feb. 25, 1936.l

B. A. HANNEWALD Er AL APPARATUS' FQR FILLING BAGS `s sheets-sheet s Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR FILLING BAGS Burton A. Hannewald and Edward Ingstad, In-

dianapolis, Ind., assignors to Bemis Bro. Bag Co., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application January 3, 1933, Serial No. 649,928

, 4 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for filling or -packing bags and the like, and with regard to certain more specific features, to such apparatus which shall also perform weighing functions.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of apparatus for filling or packing bags and the like with vegetables, fruitillustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 1s a top plan view of the apparatus, parts being broken away to show certain otherwise hidden features;

Fig. 2 `is a horizontal` section taken on line 2-2 of 3, parts being broken away for clarity;

Fig. 3 isan enlarged, partial section takenl on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the weighing mechanism ready 'to receive a bag;

Fig; 5 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional detail illustrating an automatic starting mechanism;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, horizontal section taken online 6-6 of Fig. 3 and showing aninterior adapt- ;ig rilng in position, the latter not being shown in Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 1-1 of Fig'. 6 showing a detail;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a motor drive and friction brake therefor; and,

I Fig. 9 is a plan view of certain parts of an overcentering mechanism.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown at numeral I a chute from a grading table `or picking belt from the end of which chute I drop articles to be filled orpacked in bags, such as vegetables, fruitand nuts or the like.

At, numeral 3 is shown a horizontal spider or table 3, carried upon a vertical supporting shaft 5 (Figs. 3 and 5), the shaft 5 passing through and Other objects will be in part obvious' being supported within an upper bearing 1 of a pyrarnidal frame 3. The frame 3 comprises standards I I, as shown, through the bases of which are provided set screws I3 for leveling purposes.

Two of the supports II carry lateral bearings I5 for journaling rollers I1, the purpose of which rollers I1 is to have the machine as a whole tilted thereon for movement from place to place (Fig. 2)

It will be understood that the rollers I1 do not 10 touch the ground when the machine is horizontal,

Y but vdo so when the machine is tilted over on the rollers I1. A pair of operating handles may be attached and detached to the leg of the machine,

if desired, when moving the same.

The shaft 5 near its lower end carries a gear I3 (Figs. 2 and 8), by means` of which'said shaft 5 is driven. The gear meshes with a driving pinion 2|, the latter being driven from a motor 23 by way of a speed reducer 25. 'I'he motor is en- 20 ergized from a suitable circuit through a.y mercury switch 21.

A friction, band brake 23 associated with a pulley 3 I on the armature shaft of the motor 23 serves, after current has been shut off, to limit 25A the coasting movement of the motor and the elements driven thereby. The brake 29 has a re 4 acting spring tensioning member 32 and a coacting adjustment bolt 33, the latter being adjustable by means of a wing nut 35. Hence, the frictional force exerted by the brake may be varied to compensate for wear or to meet varying retarding conditions. The spider 3 has a generally polygonal shape with a number of edges corresponding to the number of lling-and-weighing unitsthat it is desired to have upon a machine and, in the present example, the number of said units is six. Thusthe spider 3 is, generally speaking, hexagonal in the present example. The hexagonal edges of the 40 spider 3 are notched, as indicated at 'numeral 31, and adjacent the notched portions are fastened yokes 39 having extending arms 4l providing bearings 43 for knife edged trunnions 45, the

latter forming extensions from yokes 41 of beams 45 49 (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6).

. The beams 48 at their outer ends are likewise provided withbearings 5I for knife edged trunnions 53, the latter extending from ring supports 11 within which are held hoppers 55. The ring 50 supports 11 are prevented from assumingjto'o great a swing with respect to the beams 49 by center of the machine and are provided with sliding adjustable counterweights 51. Each counter- *l 63 may assume upward and downward position (Fig. 5).

When in the vdotted-line positions, said extensions 63 are adapted to clear an operating arm 61 of said switch 21 and when in downward positions-to engage said arm.. The rotation of the spider` 3 (under operation of said motor 23) is such thatwhen the arm 61 is engaged by one of said extensions 63, the mercury tube element 69 of said switch 21 is moved counterclockwise (Fig. 3) to disengage the mercury 1| therein from the contacts 13 in the tube'69, thus breaking the -motor circuit. 'lhe angle of swing of the arm 61 and the' adjustment-of the friction brake v29 is such that the/forward motion of the spider 3 is stopped at the proper time. Thurs, as long as the respective engaging arm 63 is 'in downward posi.- tion,and in contact with the arm 61, the motor circuit is opened and rotation almost immediately ceases.

If the respective downward extension 63 be lifted to clear, as shown in dotted lines'oi Fig. 5, vthe tube 69 of the Switch gravitationally descends (the center of gravity 'being below lits pivot point), carrying the arm 61 clockwise from behind the extension 63 (Fig. 3) thus reclosing the circuit to vcause the motor to advance the supporting spider 3. Rotation will continue until the next depressed extension 63 contacts the arm 61 to rotate counterclockwise and thus to break the motor circuit. As will be shown, the extensions 63 are depressed as long as no bags are applied to the respective hopper outlet, or as long as bags so fastened -are not -illled Vto proper weight.

Referring to the hoppers 55. it will be seen that theycomprise metal, quadrilateral hopper portions 4 thickly lined with soft, sponge or like rubber 15. This rubber eiectively prevents bruising of the products being packed. The quadrilateral shapes are adjacently arranged :to prdvide spaces therebetween which spaces are small enough to prevent substantial spilling 'of material, even though the machine advances while material continues 'to flow from the point I. Each hopper 55 is set into its ring-shaped casting 1 1 and held by suitable m `On the' under side ofthe casting 11 are formed spotting surfaces 83 having series of bolt holes 85 therein for adjustably applying movable members 8188 and 89. Themembers 01, 88 and 89 are slotted as indicated at numerals 9| for permitting application oi' holding bolts 93 and for effecting minor adjustments which are less than the distances between successive bolt holes 85 (Fig. 6)

'I'he rearward flxed members "include downwardly extending, semi-circular, hollow, cuffshaped jaws |05, these being p ded with exterior rubber facings |0| having protrusions |03 for the purpose of frictionally holding `a bag mouth. The jaws 05 are stationary. 4It will be seenthat the jaw cuii's |05 are iixed with respect 'Ihe beams 49 being movable on their of the lug |25. y

,between the action o i the lever |01 and that of to the castings" which support the hoppers 55. The outwardly located members 88 and 89 form bearings for trunnions 96 and 94 of outwardly located, movable cuff-shaped jaw members 95.

These cuff-shaped jaw members are cylindric but are beveled endwise as at 91 so that they may assume an approximately conic form in conjunction with the inward, xed jaw members |05 (Fig.4) A cylindric association between a iixed jaw |05 and movable jaw 95 is shown in Fig. 3. 'I'he lower ends 99 of the jaws 95 are provided with exterior rubber facing bands |0| having protrusions |03, also for increasing friction within the mouths of bags. Beading at the bottoms of the jaws aid their holding action on small bags.

In order to swing the jaws 95, each one of the trunnions 96, beyond its point of bearing in its member 00, rotatably carries an arm |01 having an endwise hand plate |09, and 'is held in either one of two over-centered positions (Figs. 3 and 4)', this being effected by means o'f a spring said spring being tensioned by a fastening to alug ||3. The lug 3 forms an extension from the casting 11. Another extension l5 functions as a stop for the arm |01 when no bag is applied over the jaws 95, |05 and when'said arm is upwardly overcentered. Downwardly, a stop 8 is contacted by a contact lug I1 on the arm 01. The stop 8 also forms anextension from the member 11. The stop ||5 permits greater overcentering of arm |01 than does stop 8. l

The swingingv movement of the arm 01 is transmitted with lost motion to the jaw 95. The jaw 95 has formed integrally therewith a lug |2| having a notched portion 23 (Fig. 7). It will be understood that the jaw 95 and the sector |2| (an integral assembly) are fastened to the trunnion 96 by means such as the set screw |21 shown in Fig. 7, but that the arm or lever |01 is rotatable on said trunnion 96. The trunnion 96 rocks in its bearing in the adjustable member 80. The lever |01 carries an extension |25 which passes under member 88 and extends into said notch |23 of lug |2|. The angular opening of the notch |23 is greater than the arcuate width 'I'hus lost motion is introduced the jaw 95. Ihis lost motion is introduced to allow the lever |01 to move through an angle Awhich is greater tlzuin-tl'uat through which the jaw 95 moves, thus increasing the effective moment of the spring I when holding a bag (lever up), and conversely to reduce themoment upon initial movement (lever l dcwn).. As the spring snaps the lever |01 over dead center, the lug |25 engages the left-hand end of the notch |23 (Fig. 7) to snap the jaw 95 from4 the position of Fig. 4 to the position'of Fig. 3 wherein it stretches and holds a bag mouth placed over the jaws. This feature permits of easy operation of the lever |01 up to dead center, and thereafter effective, automatic stretching of the bag mouth is effected by spring-driven, outward movement of the jaw 95.

Reverse and downward pressure on the lever |01 results in pressing it over dead center, the spring drawing it into the position shown in Fig.

4 and thus causing the lug |25 to engage the rlghtf hand end of the notch 23 to rotate thejaw 95 eounterclockwise from the holding position of Fig. 3 to the releasing 'position of Fig. 4, thereby releasing any bag, the mouth of which the jaws 95, |05 had theretofore beenwithin. A stop 9 at the -upper end of each rearward jaw |05 limits the bag movement in placing the bags over the substantially conical jaw arrangement (Fig. 4) and provides the point at which metal may be subtracted or added-by welding, boiting or otherwise, in order to balance the casting 11 and associated parts on the trunnions 53.

In Fig. 6 the jaws 95 and I05=are shown as having a radius curvature which is less than that oi.' the inside boreof the casting 11. In order to properly guide the Vmaterial being packed an adapter ring I3I is held within the lower end of each hopper 55, this being done by means of set screws |35. It will be understood that when the :laws l,95, are adjusted into a position beneathA rings I3I being dispensed with), it may be desirable to choose jaws 95, |05 whose radii of curvature are larger. Y"I'his may readily be done by providing castings 81, 95, |05 with such radii of curvature. This involves, in the case of the rearward jaw |05, merely unbolting the casting 91 by loosening the'bolts 93 and making a substitution. In the case of the forward jaw 95, it merely means a removal of set screws I 21 and the replacement of a suitable jaw 95 on the trunnions 99 and 94, and outward adjustment of the bearings 88 and B9.

In order that lled sacks may be supported when released from the jaws 95, |05, an adjustable bench |31 and a sidewall |39 are provided around such parts of the apparatus and beneath f the weighing mechanism as are employed for the bag removal operation.

l 'I'he operation oi the device is as follows:

All arms |01 are assumed to be overcentered downwardly (Fig. 4) and the jaws are conically arranged. No filled bags are in position and thus the beam arms 49 are depressed at their inward ends. The switch arms 61 have been gravitationally rotated to a clockwise position and are not contacted byvany of the arms 63. Thus the circuit is closed at switch 21. The weights 51, and their riders 59 have been adjusted for the net weight which is desired in the respective bags, tare being taken into account. The friction brake 29 is preliminarily adjusted.

A bag is applied at station X by opening the mouth thereof with the hands and placing the rear portion of the mouth over theA rearward jaw |95, the stop II 9 determining theelevation of the bag. Theebag mouth was then drawn over the conically'arranged swinging cup 95 (Fig. 4) and drawn up. 'Ihis upward drawing of the bag places lthe hands of the operator adjacent to the plate |99 and a slight wrist movement causes the arm |01 to'reach dead center position after which the spring III causes further overcentering and movement of the ,jaw 95 to substantially the po-l operating position. The operating lever is so, lov cated that the bag can be held with the two handswacentering it and causing it to drive the jaw 95 A75 of the operator, operating lever I 01 moved by the wrist.

As soon as the motor circuit is energized, by means of a line switch other than the switch 21 which is at this time closed, the spider 9 is driven clockwise, viewing it from above (Fig. l). The

, machine is related with respect to the chute so that when the first arm 99 strikes the switch handle B1 (Fig. 5) and the switch 21 is opened,

55 is brought beneath the chute I. Produce is then caused continuously to flow down the chute- I. Bags are repeatedly applied at station X.

As the produce ows down the chute I and into the hopper 55 positioned thereunder, the b ag held below the hopper fills. An operator standing at station Y notes when the respective beam 49 gets into la critical state, as when the amount of produce in the respective bags begins to counterbalance the eiect of the weight 51'.

It is one, of the features of the present` invention thatthe operator does not wait until the' beam arm 49 is definitely lifted, thus indicating that too much produce is in the bag. Heretofore, this'has been the method pursued in analogous weighing operations, produce then being removed from the bag at a successive position thereof for determining proper weight.

We have found that it is better not to permit the weight tc become too much and then to remove some, but to cause the machine to advance before the weightis enough and then add produce 'some thrown back ,to effect a iinal weighing. The

operation of removing articles is hereby dispensed with.

In order that the machine may advance when the beam 49 under the chute I becomes critical the respective hopper 55 and depresses the same until the inner end of the respective beam 49 strikes a central limiting stop Il). This causes the respective beam arm 49 to lift and thus to cause the extension 63 thereof to clear the switch in its action, vthe operator places his hand upon arm 61. The switch swings clockwise under the action of gravity and closes to restart the motor v which drives the apparatus ahead until thenext hopper which has by this time had a bag applied thereto, advances to a position beneath the chute` I, its beam extension 53 engaging' the switch arm B1 to open the switch 21 and the device stopping as above described.

It will be understood that if for some reason it be not desirable to practice the invention abovev outlined, produce may be permitted to flow into the bags until slightoverweight is allowed to raise the beams 49 andthus cause reclosing of the switch and advance of the mechanism, a check weighing being subsequently effected by manually removing produce from the bag/sf I A filled bag on its respective'sct of jaws 95, I 05 is carried around to a position over the .bench |31, said bench being adjusted to slightly clear the bottom of the bag, the wall |39 clearing it rearwardly.

The operator at or near station Z removes the bag by pressing down the lever |01, thus overimA the bag which drops to the platform or bench |31. The filled bag may from herebe removed for subsequent closing.

'I'he weighing mechanism, being relieved of its loaded bag, has its beam 48 settle back so that the extension 63 is in positionto make a subsequent stop. A bag is repositioned at or before the station X, ready for the next iilling.

' Among the advantages of the invention maybe noted the fact-that the overcentering mechanism for `opening the jaws is arranged 'to be operated upon thenatural upward movement ofthe wrist while the hands are .applying a bag mouth to the jaws.- No constricting resistance of the bag mouth is applied to movement of the lever Ili'i until the same is overcentered. Thus, an operator does not encounter any but constant spring resistance at the lever |01, and this is vslight because the downward overcentering advantage of the spring I II is slight.'

It will be noted in the above connection that thel overcentering action of the spring is less downwardly (Fig. 4) Athan the overcentering action upwardlyiFig. 3). vThe purpose ofthis is to provideeasy action upon'theupwardly throw ported.

up@ destinarse n there :being `no device providing 'ad'viintege between the rbrake an and a positive'holding by the spring III after over-.centering sothatthe bag is effectively sup- Manual' overcentering vdownwardly is -byfthe consti-loting action of the 'mouth of Aover thefijaws@ lil, Furthermore be held inV posihamster wnue themotqrfifsrm suchffas. ,istv provided between .th arts 1ha'vingthe momentumzl.

Thebags are held on the outsi ingjaws, thus," extending the .bag ,as much as possible so 'that th'e'flow of them willy not be restricted. The jaws andadapters being of various sizes and interchangeable on tlaiedevice, together withjthe factthatthe membersv on` which, the jaws: are held areV adjustable, provides meansH for' accommodating a wide range orbegsizes.

In view ofthe: above, it will be seen that the several objects of the-'invention areV achieved and other advantageous-results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the Giabove constructions without departing from the scope of-'the invention-it isintendedl that all matter contained in the above description o r shown in theaccompanyinglvdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in-a v ,9,081,708 inwardly to the Fig. 4 position, thus releasing.

We claim:

I 1. In weighing apparatus, a support, a plu- Y subnormal, a motor drive for the support including a circuit, said switch controlling said circuit 10 to stop the motor when the weight is subnormal and to automatically again start the motor when said weight reaches the predetermined amount, and frictional braking means determining the point of stopping of the support.

2. In automatic weighing apparatus, a support, a motor driving said support, a speed reducer in the drive between the motor and the support, said support carrying a plurality of 'weighing means, an automaticallyd reclosing switch controlling the motor circuit, extensions from the weighing means movable upon a predetermined weight being applied to the weighing means, said extensions being engageable with the switch to open the motor crcuit under subnormal-weight conditions and during advancing movement, and otherwise to disengage the switch wherebythe same recloses the motor circuit to eiect further advancing movement, and continuous braking means associated with the motor for limiting movement of the support after said switch breaks said circuit, said speed reducing device being located in said drive ata point between the said braking means and the support.

3. In automatic weighing apparatus, a support, a motor for driving said support, a speed reducer in the drive between the motor and the support,

` ,f movement, and continuous braking means assoelated with the motor for limiting movement of the support after said switch breaks said circuit, 50

. said speed reducing device being located in said y drive at a point between the said braking means y and the support.

r4.111 a bag holding and lling apparatus, a relatively stationary support, a shaft mounted for rotation on said support, a headmounted on said shaft for rotation therewith and a plurality of radially disposed, circumferentially spaced bag holding devices carried by the head, each device comprising a swingably mounted adjustable scale beam having a inger on one. end and having a bag holder at theffo'pposite end, the fingermoving in one directionl upon application' of weight to the holder and in the reversedirection upon removal of said weight, 'a driving motor for the shaft and 35 switch means for cutting out the driving motor upo being contacted by said finger and cutting in the `driving motor when the movement of the finger isreversed to avoid contact with the switch, and means whereby 'the shaft and head may be 70 freelymtated at angular position thereof.

B UR'I'ON A. HANNEWALD. 

